The first leg of the annual Norfolk Over 60’s v Kent Invicta ended in defeat for Norfolk at Kent’s Snodland Community Centre venue but leaves Norfolk with the hope that they can make up the deficit in the second leg later in the year at Hingham Sports & Social Club. Each team fields 12 triples for this six mat format with each triple playing three games apiece over the six sessions. The opening session saw Kent score 50 shots across the six mats against Norfolk’s 46 but earned Kent Invicta a 10-2 points lead as they won on five mats with Norfolk’s only victory an 18-3 win for Kerry Greenacre, Colin Hayman & Selwyn Goldsmith. The second session saw Norfolk win on four mats for an 8-4 points win to reduce the deficit to 14-10 on points. Val Vardy, Pat Hall & Clive Eke were in superb form winning 21-2 while Will Townsend, Andy George & Terry Newby won 7-4, Billie Barker, David Chadwick & Jane James won 8-7 and Ian Cornwall, Richard Broad & David Aldous won by 7-6. Any chance of a sustained recovery by Norfolk were snuffed out in session three as the home side again delivered a 10-2 points win with only Peter Walker, Val Easter & Melvyn Barker winning for the visitors by 5-4. Session Four proved equally bad for Norfolk who again won on only one mat courtesy of a fine 16-4 win by Val Vardy, Pat Hall & Clive Eke. The penultimate session was shared with three wins apiece. Norfolk’s wins were provided by Kerry Greenacre, Colin Hayman & Selwyn Goldsmith with a 14-6 win, Peter Walker, Val Easter & Melvyn Barker with a 7-3 win and Di Quadling, David Quadling & Bob Oatway who took three shots on the final end for a satisfying 8-6 win. Norfolk finished well winning four of the six games in the final session to reduce the deficit to 44-28 on points and 279-264 on shots. Will Townsend, Andy George & Terry Newby won 12-4, Jenny Walker, Graham Atter & Richard Moore won 10-3, Sally Rawnsley, Steve Easter & Andy Rawnsley won 12-7 and Billie Barker, David Chadwick & Jane James won 10-8. As always in the friendly challenge games between these two sides everyone enjoyed the day and left the venue with smiles on their faces regardless of the result. The return match will take place on Saturday 23rd August at Hingham.
Happy faces at Snodlands Community Centre as Kent Invicta win the first leg
It proved to be a busy day for the Kent Umpire at Snodlands
